York Teachers To Get 5.2 Percent Pay Hike

YORK — General Assembly gives York County schools more than $2 million over the $47 million previously proposed by the state. The extra money means teachers will get a better pay increase.

Teachers in York County will see a 5.2 percent raise next year, thanks in part to extra money the General Assembly is giving to the school system.

School officials recently learned the state is kicking in more than $49.7 million to York's $95.5 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The amount is based on an expected enrollment of 12,600 students next year.

In December, the state proposed more than $47.7 million for the school system based on a projected enrollment of 12,830. That figure, however, was adjusted recently, according to school spokeswoman Betsy Overkamp-Smith.

At a work session Monday night to discuss how the extra money should be spent, the School Board agreed to put some of it toward teacher salaries. A portion also will be used for one-time purchases like new playground equipment for 10 elementary schools and eight new school buses to replace old models.

The board also voted to set minimums on the extra pay that teachers receive depending on their education and experience. For example, a teacher with a bachelor's degree and 15 years of experience now will not receive less than $350 for any step on the pay scale. The teacher could receive more, but not less.

"It really helps teachers who have experience and who have taken the time to further their education," said Carol Bauer, president of the York Education Association. "Teachers who have loyalty, longevity and who have put in their time with York County now are being compensated for doing those things."

Before the changes, extra pay for some teachers was as low as $143, which Bauer said equated to less than $10 a month. Now with minimum pay levels for steps on the salary scale, she said the pay increases would no longer be arbitrary figures.

"It just makes so much more sense," Bauer said.

"This is the way the teachers want to go," said Linda Meadows, a board member and a retired York County teacher.

The district still is not where it wants to be with its salary scale, but Chairwoman Barbara Haywood said the increases are a significant improvement.

Vice Chairman Mark Medford agreed, adding that the increases should make the school district more marketable to qualified teachers.

"We've put ourselves in a direction," Medford said, "and other localities will have to keep up with us." *